OBITUARIES
Walter Joseph Lutkenhaus
November 14, 1945 – August 8, 2022
LINDSAY – A service for Walter Joseph Lutkenhaus, 76, Lindsay is set for 10 a.m., Aug.12 at Saint Peter’s Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Saint Peter’s Cemetery under the direction of Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home of Gainesville.
Visitation begins at 6 p.m. with a Rosary Service to begin at 7 p.m., Aug. 11, in the Chapel at Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home, Gainesville.
Lutkenhaus was born Nov. 14, 1945 in Muenster. He was the oldest child of August J. and Armella (Flusche) Lutkenhaus. He grew up on a farm southwest of Muenster, and attended grade school at Sacred Heart Catholic School. He graduated from Muenster High School in 1963.
On Jan. 24, 1966, Lutkenhaus was inducted into service with the United States Army in Dallas. Walter served proudly with the Service Battery of the 1st Battalion/40th Field Artillery He boarded the USS General LeRoy Eltinge for Da Nang, Vietnam and arrived in-country on Oct. 18, 1966 and was based in Dong Ha, Vietnam and saw duties all along the DMZ. For his service, he received many military honors. Walter received an honorable discharge on Jan. 23, 1968 at Fort Sil, OK.
Upon return Lutkenhaus married Kathleen Streng of Lindsay on April 20, 1968. He returned to his job at Shamburger Lumber Company and helped his dad on the family farm while attending night classes at Cooke County Junior College. He then went to work at National Supply Co. (Armco Steel) and by October 1970.
Lutkenhaus was employed at National Supply Co for 19 years, working as a receiving/shipping clerk and inventory specialist until the plant closed in 1988. He worked various jobs for a short time and then became a relief route carrier for the U.S. Postal Service and a truck driver for Paul J. and Gary Hess Trucking until his retirement in 2007.
He has always been active in his church, school, and community volunteering at the VFW and the Lindsay Volunteer Fire Department. He was a life member of the VFW Post 1922 in Gainesville. Beginning in 1982 and continuing for 20 years, he served on the Selective Service Board (draft board) for Cooke County.
Lutkenhaus was currently working with Veterans Outreach Programs and assisting with military research for local veterans and their families.
He leaves behind his wife of 54 years, Kathleen (Streng) Lutkenhaus, Lindsay; daughters, Donna Neu, Laura and husband, Jim Fisher all of Lindsay; sons, Michael Lutkenhaus and Kim Spivey, Irene, TX and George and wife, Tricia Lutkenhaus, Justin, TX. Grandchildren include Samantha, Nicholas and Joseph Fisher, Lindsay, TX and George Jr, Andrew and Cooper Lutkenhaus, Justin, TX. Siblings and spouses include, Norma and John Kubicek, Valley View, Doris and WC Muller, Muenster, Dennis and Carolyn Lutkenhaus , Lindsay, TX, Leo and Peggy Lutkenhaus,Muenster, and Charles Lutkenhaus, Mesa, AZ.
To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Walter Joseph Lutkenhaus, visit: https://www.geojcarroll.com/obituary/walter-lutkenhaus.
Paid publication
November 5, 1938 – April 18, 2026
WICHITA FALLS – Maggie Killen, 87, died on April 18, 2026.
A graveside service took place at 1 p.m. on April 27 at Salona Cemetery near Bowie.
She was born on Nov. 5, 1938 in Bowie to Bertha Irene (Brewer) and Emmett Franklin Thompson. She was a graduate of Bowie High School. She was an oil information secretary and later in life as a business office manager in a skilled nursing home.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bertha Irene and Emmett Franklin Thompson: sisters; Gracie McNatt, Berneice Oliver, Ola Mae Deeton, Ernestine Ray and Dorothy Woolf: brothers; Kelly Thompson, John Thompson, Lonnie Thompson, Wayne Thompson and Tommy Thompson; son, Ricky Wallace and daughter, Vicki Cullens.
She is survived by two grandchildren and six great-grandchildren
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to University Park Nursing and Rehab.
June 4, 1947 – April 19, 2026
SPAINSH FORT – Sammy Joe Mitchell, 78, died on April 19, 2026.
There was a visitation from 5-6 p.m. on April 24 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel in Nocona.
A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. on April 25 at Spanish Fort Cemetery in Spanish Fort.
He was born on June 4, 1947 in Nocona to Bonnie O. Mitchell Jr. & Mary Lou Cross Mitchell. He grew up in the Spanish Fort area and went to school at Prairie Valley Schools. He was a hard-working farmer, rancher and mechanic all of his life and served his nation in the Airforce. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Spanish Fort. He married the love of his life Robbie Hawthorne on May 8, 1971 in Nocona.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Steven Chris Mitchell.
He is survived by his wife, Robbie Mitchell, Spanish Fort; children, Joe Chris Mitchell, Spanish Fort and Kasie Hamilton, Bowie; sister, Bonnie Robertson, Spanish Fort; six grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to The Montague County Youth Fair, c/o Kenton Holloway, 5549 F.M. 1758, Bowie, TX 76230.
November 8, 1958 – April 20, 2026
NOCONA – Lesli Jan Phipps, 67, died on April 20, 2026.
There was a funeral service at 2 p.m. on April 23 at Bethel Baptist Church in Nocona with Pastor David Rogers officiating. The interment followed in Hope Cemetery, Henrietta. Pallbearers were Will Johnson, Ben Johnson, Ryan Johnson, Kevin Johnson, Kaye Rhoades, Tom Skinner and Bill Holcomb.
She was born in Nocona on Nov. 8, 1958 to Gerald “Jerry” and Lucia Painter Johnson. She grew up in Nocona and graduated Nocona High School in 1977. She attended Bethel Baptist Church. She later attended college at Midwestern State University and was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. She worked mostly in accounting for Northrop Grumman. She married Curtis Phipps on June 3 2021 in Henrietta.
She is preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her husband, Curtis Phipps, Nocona; children, Blake Gantz, Euless, Emily Gantz Hicks, Hoover, AL and Garrett Palla, Denton; brother, Craig Johnson; and one grandson.
Memorial donations may be made to the Susan G. Komen Foundation at www.komen.org.
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